@Neil

Have you checked the dictionary definition of "game"

1. "An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime: party games; word games."

I would imagine that all of nintendos games are "proper".

And as for your "Next Gen" remark, unless you have a time machine and have been to the future I can only assume you mean "current gen" console.

Thus, Nintendo is a "proper" 'current gen' console that plays "proper" 'current gen' games.

In the words of a "serious" gamer (look, I am not laughing and will unlikely to - far too serious for that), you have just been "owned".

Ouch, that must smart. Dumbass.

@Neil

So far the balance board is the only new thing required. You can play Mario kart without the wheel and any shooter without the zapper. Boogie and guitar hero (wiimote plugs in so is it jsut a shell?) are the only other things I can think of.

Please explain how one to three games coming with a special controller equals almost every new game?

Wii

Clever Ninty, almost every new game demands you by the latest hardware controller, the latest being the wiiboard. Not so cheap really and where are you supposed to store all that plastic. I'm not knocking the machine, compared to the Vtech kiddies rubbish in Toy'r'Us up and down the country, it's proper Bo!

I think, as an adult, i'll stick with a proper next gen console that plays proper next gen games *cough* GTA4 *cough*.

Ninty Know The Marketplace Well Enough!!

They should do . . . they've been around in the console biz long enough to know how and where to pitch their wares!!

Since games consoles first hit the streets, I have played on them . . . not mine but my friends. Found them ok but not compelling enough to shell out whatever they cost. Reason? I could sit on my lard in front of a telly anytime I wanted to!!

So, up until the Wii was released, I have never owned a console and had no desire to own one . . . period!!

Now . . . well you've guessed it already . . . I own a Wii, 4 Wiimotes, 2 Nunchucks, a Wii Zapper and as of last Friday, Wii Fit and the amazing Wii Board!!

What does all that mean? Well it means . . .

1. Ninty have me as a consumer of their product purely as a result of the innovation(s) of the Wii brand.

2. Ninty have priced the Wii at the right level from the start that covers all the costs of their R & D expenditure, manufacturing, marketing, etc . . and they make a profit, as should be the way in business.

3. Ninty, quite rightly, have said they will not drop their prices for the Wii (and DS). Why should they, when they have got a winner at the pricepoints they already offer?

I have never derided the merits of consoles like the NES/SNES et al, Mega Drive or more lately the PS series and XBox/360. None of them were 'ME' but the Wii is.

On the other hand, I have heard and read many derisory comments about the Wii system . . . 'Looks like Noddy in Toytown', 'Painting by Numbers', etc, etc . . . but I guess your viewpoint is how you perceive what is FUN!!

The Wii is about people aged from 3 to 53/63/73, whatever age playing on a console, together and having FUN.

PS and XBox is about people in a narrower age band playing a console together and having FUN.

No comprenez vous?

Here's the deal . . . (This is true).

Family of Mum, Dad and 2 Daughters get PS3 and Wii systems at Xmas last year. Facts:

1. 99% of the time, Dad plays PS3 alone, not because he wants to, or the PS3 is 'off limits' to everyone but himself, it's just that the FUN games on the PS3 they have got, pale in comparison to the ones on the Wii.

2. In contrast, when the Wii is on, they all get involved, have a laugh and try harder next time. Friends and family have FUN TOGETHER & come back for more.

3. Since Xmas, Dad has played on the Wii more times than on the PS3.

The Family I write about above is . . .

My Daughter, Son-in-Law and my Granddaughters and just for the record . . .

. . . I bought both the PS3 and Wii systems for them last Xmas.

Make what you will of what I have written, as is your choice and right but what I really want to know is . . .

. . . How the HECK are Ninty gonna surpass the Wii Board??!!

PS . . .

'Thumbs Up' because there isn't an Icon that truly reflects my feelings!!

@Its a kids games box!

What exactly is a 'serious gamer'? Is it someone who never smiles, wears a lot of beige, pencils in their shirt pocket, pocket calculator in their back? Someone who never laughs at funny jokes?

Someone who is that 'serious' about gaming that they have to resort to cheating and spending over 45% of their waking hours playing with themselves silly over their gamer tag achievements (seriously of course - no fun to be had even there). Serious fcuking business indeed.

Last time I heard someone messed with a serious gamer they got owned. Ouch, I bet that taught them. Rather them than me.